I apologize to those who are multiple lists like me for the cross-post if
you see this twice. I need to get it out, but all things considered, i
am sure i can only bear to write this once. Of course, this stuff always
happens at htis time of year, and has for the past 3 years in a row! :(
some valentines day for me! I have now lost animals on Feb 12, 13, 14
and 15th. Next valentines time i am just going to hibernate.
Champ was my insulinomic ferret. We think he was about 7 years old, but
don't know for sure. Of my original 5, he was one of two left. He was
diagnosed insulinomic about 3 years ago, and his prednisone dose had been
increased and decreased over the past few years as he got better, than
worse again. he was not a surgery candidate.
After switching the dogs to raw a year ago, i wanted to switch the
ferrets too. This did not prove easy. (a) because i make nothing easy
for myself - i like to be complicated (b) because ferrets can be just as
hard if not harder than cats to switch. Mine were no exception. They
turned their noses up at anythign that was raw.
The past few weeks champ started to lose weight. I tried harder to
switch them to raw. They begin taking tiny tastes of things, much to my
excitment. A few days ago Champ actually ate a big bowl (for somethign
that wieghs only a pound anyway!) of raw food for me off a baby spoon! I
was SO excited. Now i am just glad he got a tasted of real food before
he died.
Over the last week champ went from bad to worse. I had begun to accept
his severity of illness, and was resigning myself that he would not be
here much longer... I knew it was coming. He was skin and bones. His
back legs, while he could move them, no longer worked in a way that
allowed him to move around. By Monday he'd fall out of his hammock if he
tried to get down to the litterbox. He ended up staying on the floor of
his cage and getting himself covered in mess because he couldn't move out
of it. I washed him off, and set the cage up to make life easier for
him. Yesterday when i got home from work he couldn't even get into the
litterbox - his legs would not allow it. He looked miserable, and i
wanted to do something to help him, but there was nothing but comfort i
could offer. I washed him again and held him, saying my goodbyes, for
fear he wouldn't be here this morning. I gave him some of his food, but
he didn't eat it.
This morning he was moving around better, but still could not stand. His
eyes looked cloudy, and he wasn't really interested in the goings on. I
knew it was time. I took him to work with me (work at a vet) even though
we dont' see many ferrets. Our one doctor deals with the three or four
that come to us when it isn't an involved problem. He was happy to help
me, knowing as well what needed to be done. I held him wrapped in a
towel as he went to sleep, knowing deep down that was all i could do for
him, but at the same time questioning if it was right (i WANTED him to
get better, but i knew he wouldn't).
I worry now about Li'l Bit. She has not been alone for the 5 years we've
had her - there has always been at least one other ferret with her. My
friend has two of them, and I may take her there if she doesn't seem ok
on her own...my friends two ferrets are spoiled rotten, spend a lot of
time out of their cage (which is HUGE to begin with), and i am over there
a lot anyhow...i might see her more there than i do at my own house
sometimes! I will do what is best for HER in the end. I hate to give my
animals away, but i don't want her to waste away for lonliness, and i
don't want to get another ferret - i can't go through it all again just
now.
Thanks to all who listened, and let me cry on their keyboards! ;-(
sniffle.
~S~
Susan and the Catahoula Gang
ALWAYS missing those at the bridge
Grace It Is, Snowflake, Duke Sammy, Nikki, Oreo, Jake & Duchess and
CHAMP
http://www.geocities.com/sue_delaney/ **last update 10/27**
Feed RAW for healthy dogs!
http://www.raw4dogs.com
SW Florida Distributor
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[Posted in FML issue 4057]
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